Misguided "Anti-Piracy" Bill Introduced in Congress

San Francisco - Members of the U.S. Congress yesterday
introduced the Author, Consumer, and Computer Owner
Protection and Security (ACCOPS) Act of 2003, targeting for
criminal prosecution the 60 million Americans engaged in
Internet file sharing of music and movies.

"More Americans are using file sharing software than voted
for President Bush in 2000," said EFF Staff Attorney Jason
Schultz. "Throwing the book at music swappers makes great
political theater, but jailing 60 million music fans is not
good business, nor does it put a single penny into the
pockets of artists."

"Jailing people for file sharing is not the answer," noted
EFF Senior Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann. "Proponents of
this bill are casting aside privacy, innovation, and even
our personal liberty as collateral damage in their war
against file sharing."

The ACCOPS bill was introduced in the House of
Representatives today by Representatives Conyers, Berman,
Schiff, Meehan, Wexler, and Weiner, all member of the House
Judiciary Committee.